BTS represent South Korea and young people everywhere at UN General Assembly
Written by Hanin Najjar
Photo via @bts_bighit twitter
BTS spoke and performed at the 76th UN General Assembly, Sustainable Development Goals Moment on Monday. The seven singers, songwriters, producers and dancers were invited by the UN to speak with Korean President Moon Jae-in, and appointed Special Presidential Envoys for Future Generations and Culture.
The group first spoke at the UN in 2018 during the launch ceremony of the UN’s partnership with UNICEF and established the Love Myself global campaign advocating the end of youth violence.
In 2020, BTS gave a video speech at the 75th session of the UNGA on the topic of protecting future generations.
This year, President Moon granted BTS the status of diplomatic envoys and, during the ceremony on September 14., gave each member a diplomatic passport.
During their speech, the seven members - RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook- spoke on behalf of young people in their teens and twenties struggling through the COVID-19 Pandemic. They also touched on issues including climate change and getting vaccinated.
Speaking on how the pandemic affected young people, Jungkook, talked about missed moments such as graduations, and entrance ceremonies.
“We were heartbroken when our long-planned concert tours were canceled,” he said.
“It was a time for us to mourn for the things that COVID took away from us, a time to discover how precious each and every moment taken for granted were,” Suga said.
Challenging the notion that young people living through the pandemic are “COVID’s Lost Generation,” BTS named this generation the “Welcome Generation.”
“Instead of the lost generation, a more appropriate name would be the ‘Welcome Generation,’ because instead of fearing change, this generation says welcome, and keeps forging ahead,” said Jin.
Young people are adjusting to the situation and taking time to take care of themselves and “live healthier lives,” said Jimin.
Addressing the theme of the Sustainable Development Goals Moment, BTS continued President Moon’s conversation on climate.
“I shudder to think about mourning for the earth,” said J-Hope.
Addressing the concerns of young people who will be living through climate change, they emphasized a message of hope.
“We have people who are concerned for the world and searching for the answers. There are still many pages left in the story about us,” said V. “We shouldn’t talk as if the ending has already been written.”
J-Hope confirmed that all the members were vaccinated and encouraged others to get vaccinated as well.
The group performed their latest song, “Permission to Dance,” released on July 8, 2021, which encouraged everyone all over the world to embrace the moment and dance, a promise for better times to come.
“Permission to dance is our message of welcome that we want to share with everyone today” - RM
